She is a large, rusty-looking vessel, without a sign of contraband of war, or of a chance of important usefulness about her; but she performed a valuable function.

I asked half a dozen times what her occupation was before any one gave a satisfactory answer.

Admiral Dewey told the story in few words.

She was a cold-storage ship, with beef and mutton from Australia, compartments fixed for about forty degrees below zero.

Each day the meat for the American fleet's consumption was taken out.